As we bid a fond Olympic adieu to the U.S. men's field hockey team this morning—at 8:30 the Americans face Malaysia in the important battle to stay out of 12th and last place—we encourage the retention of head coach Jon Clark. Sure, he embarrassed the U.S. Field Hockey Association before the Games when it became public that on his résumé he had exaggerated details about his playing career in Great Britain. Sure, he was unable to turn around the fortunes of the team, which went into today's game with an 0-25-2 Olympic record. But the guy is funny.
Herewith a few moments with Mr. Clark, who has lost none of his sardonic British wit.
On the idea that the 3-0 loss to South Africa was at least entertaining: "It was entertaining in Johannesburg, Capetown and Port Elizabeth."
On his general mood about the game: "Livid, bordering on the sarcastic."
On his team's error-prone offensive play: "We lived by the new rules of field hockey:
Every time you get into your opponent's end, you meekly give up the ball."
On his team's passive play: "We've tried the intellectual approach, and so far it hasn't worked. The IQ thermometer has slipped its temperature around the goal."
Most of all, a U.S. men's field hockey coach needs a sense of humor. And Clark's our man.
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